Parachute apparatus



H. E. S. HOLT\ PARACHUTE APPARATUS Feb. 15, 1927.

- Filed Feb. 4. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheetl 1,618,009 Feb. 15, 1927. s. HOLT PARACHUTE APPARATUS Filed Feb. 4, 1926 2 Sheets-51190122 v Patented I IT D TES P TENT.- OFFICE.

4 HAROLD-EDWARD snnnwn'r HOLL-OELONDON, ENGLAND.

rrmacnu'rn APPARATUS] I 1 Application filed February 4', 1926, Serial No. 86,038, and'in Great Britain March 28, 1925.

This invention provides improved spring means for assisting the opening of a parathe fabric forming the chfiteor ensuring that supporting surface shall be unfolded and distended or' become operative when the parachute is launched.

The .invention is applicable to folding parachute apparatus in general but more especially to parachute apparatus comprising a pilot parachute and one or more load supporting parachutes and an envelope, case or container in which the-parachutes are, carried in a folded or compacted condition, said case being capable of attachment to the person of the aeronaut by a' suitable harness.

My invention has for its object to ensure the opening of the pilot parachute when the apparatus is launched and. the cover flap of the 'ca'seor container is released, and is characterized by the use of spring means in the form of one or more resilient rings or hoops attached to the parachute fabric in such ring or rings can.

manner that the spring each be folded in the shape of a figure 8 as hereinafter described,- but being under tension will only remain folded so long as they are restrained by, for example,'the cover of the parachute case or container.

,A preferred form of construction comprises two resilient rings or hoops secured or connected together in planes at right anto both rings,

tached' to the fabric of the parachute on the gles intersecting upon a diameter common the rlngs or hoops bemg atinside by stitching for example- One ring extends around the fabric of the parachute at a suitable distance below the crown or top and is held in concentric relation thereto by the stitches, whilst exact an upper segment thereof fits against and'is stitched into; the crown or top of the parachute the other part of the ring being; left free.

The last mentioned ring is cov. ered with a diaphragm of silk or other nuaterial to revent the fabric or the lines0f iiute frombeing' caught therein. In the accompanying Figure 1 is an spring e parachute fabric being indicated. conventionally by broken lines.

" Figure 2 is a diagram ofa parachute. showing thefspring rings attached thereto by stitching. I

irings or hoops a,

:asthev are held or restrained, and will the other ring orto be sheet of illustrated elevation of tar parachute formed of two llesilient irings in. ac-

.I' igures and 4 are detail views showing ed for packing and f I v Figure 5 isa sectional elevation of the crown of the parachute taken at right angles to Figure 1. r Y Referring to the 'drawings the two spring suitable material and connected together t rightangles at c, 0' as for example by beirgg brazed, or by being lashed with wire and soldered. or by the application of sheet metal 1ointing lugs or by any other suitable means. It will also be evident that instead of joining together two separate rings, the two spring continuous length of wire. As shown the ring a is stitched all around to the parachute fabric d. but the ring 6 is in part attached by stitching to and in part freely suspended therein and rings could be formed from a single b are made of steel or other the crown of the parachute covered with a diaphragm e for the purpose 7 inside the parachute when the same is folded. but will only remain in'thatform so long being released.

When packing the parachute I the main arachute 1s put in the case first and .a flap is then folded over the main parachute and separates the pilot' parachute therefrom whichwith its springs pressed substantially fiat is placed in position last immediately underthe cover flap or flaps.

:after the manner of the' ring a butthis is rIlOt so strong or effective as the two rings at right.angles.' 1 I claim-- 1. An improved sp ing'the opening of aparachute spring means being directly attached to the crown of the parachute fabric and capable of being folde in the form of a figure 8 and 'ut under tension when the parachute is fo ded.

2. An improved spring for assisting the re-' 'sume their circular shape immediately on 'ng means for assistopening of a parachute comprising two opening of a parachute according to claim 2 wherein one of the spring rings is pro-- vided with a diaphragm for the purpose described.

4. In a parachute, means for assisting the opening of the parachute comprising, a fa ric spring ring or hoop secured to the of the parachute, on the inside thereof, in

I concentric relation to the crown of the parachute and a second spring ring or hoop conthe parachute.

nected to the first at right an les and secured by its upper segment to t e crown of 5. In a parachute, means for assistingthe opening of the parachute comprising a spring ring or hoop secured to the fabric of the parachute, on the inside thereof, in con-. centric relation to the crown of the para- 2 chute, a second spring ring or hoop connected to the first at right angles and;v secured 'byits upper segment to the crown of the parachute, and a diaphragm stretched over the second spring ring or'hoop for the pur- 30 pose described.

in testimony whereof he has aflixed his signature. V

HAROLD EDWARD SHERWIN HULT. 

